Vale do Lobo, the largest luxury resort in the Algarve, located on 2km of coastline between Faro and Vilamoura, undertook a sand refurbishment operation over recent months to halt the disappearance of its beach and the erosion of its spectacular cliffs, which have become the signature of the Algarve throughout the world.

The sand refurbishment took place over the months of March and April. The procedure involved dredging approximately 400 000 cubic metres of sand from the seabed and restoring it to the beach, to allow tourists to enjoy the beach activities which had been curbed due to the reduced width of the beach and to protect the cliff line naturally from erosion. The operation represented an investment of more than €2 million, fully financed by the Vale do Lobo Group of Companies and Vale do Lobo proprietors’ club members.

This undertaking was found to be necessary because the Vale do Lobo coast has suffered a rapid retreat since the 1980s, with the Atlantic’s natural erosive effect accentuated since the construction of Vilamoura marina, which did not consider any measures to minimise erosion. Without intervention, erosion has been rapidly evolving the coastline, resulting in cliff-fall, reduced sand levels making for less attractive beaches, and destruction of beachside homes and amenities.

Vale do Lobo previously undertook a sand refurbishment operation in 1998, and the cost was shared by the Portuguese government. However, this time around, the company and the resort’s private property owners financed the whole operation.

Vale do Lobo Chairman Sander van Gelder explains: “While the responsibility to protect the coastline should not fall to individuals and private companies, we are not prepared to stand by and watch the region we love lose some of its most beautiful features.”

He continues: “With the regional and national economy so dependent on tourism, to allow the disappearance of the Algarve’s stunning beaches – which represent a very strong tourist attraction – would be extremely damaging to the economy.”

It has been proven that the refurbishment will protect the coastline, not only in front of Vale do Lobo but all the way to Faro, for several years to come. Furthermore, the Vale do Lobo Group of Companies has already begun to research more permanent solutions to the erosion problem. Notably, the group is studying the possibility that creation of an artificial island could protect the coastline. Technical and environmental research to further this study is currently underway, uniting Portuguese and international maritime engineering experts with Vale do Lobo technicians.

source: Região Sul